Nila Village in Ciamis has Fantastic Economic Value

Nila Village in Banjarwaru was built by utilizing the potential of the region. The village has become the center of tilapia fish farming and a tourist destination, providing a better livelihood for the residents.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

One of the fish ponds in Nila Kawali Village in Banjarwaru, Kawali Village, Kawali District, Ciamis Regency, West Java, Thursday (16/2/2023).

It was still before 11:00 a.m. on that Thursday (16/2/2023). However, Syamsul Ma'arif (35) had already returned from the Kawali market. The tilapia fish seller had much work to do on the day, from accompanying his family to preparing for the arrival of officials at Nila village in Banjarwaru subdistrict, Kawali, Ciamis regency, West Java, where he did his business.

About 21 kilometers south of the government center of Ciamis, Kampung Nila is the location of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cultivation. The name of the village was even taken after the name of fish Nila or tilapia.

Before 2020, Syamsul did not expect to be able to live off tilapia in his village. In 2011, he moved to Sukabumi regency, West Java, about eight hours from Kawali, to work at a shoe factory.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic became a nightmare. "There was a reduction in employees; one of them was me," he said.

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After 10 years of work, Syamsul was laid off. He had time to open a small shop in Sukabumi, but failed.

"I asked my brother [Iim Gala Permana] if there was any business in the village. He said, just go home first. Then my brother told me to sell tilapia," said Syamsul. Since tens of years ago, his village has indeed become one of the centers of tilapia cultivation.

“Apparently, many are interested in tilapia here. The meat of the fish is good. I sell 20-30 kilograms per day. On a busy day, I sell up to 50 kg," he said.

In a factory, there is a lot of pressure from supervisors. Here, I am free.

He usually sells fish from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. in the market and earns between Rp 50,000 (US$3.29)-Rp. 100,000 a day or about Rp 2.25 million per month. This amount is indeed less than the wage of Rp 2.8 million per month he received when he worked at a shoe factory.

However, when working in the village, he does not have to think about the transportation costs and the spending to rent a house. Now, he enjoys the cool hills in his village, located about 500 meters above sea level. His wife sells fried meatballs made from tilapia and tuna.

“I got phone calls from the factory twice. They asked me to go back to work. I said, think about it later. In a factory, there is a lot of pressure from supervisors. Here, I am free,” he said, smiling.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Tilapia harvest in Kampung Nila Kawali in Banjarwaru, Kawali Village, Kawali District, Ciamis Regency, West Java, Thursday (16/2/2023).

"Top" person

The blessings of Kampung Nila are also enjoyed by other residents. Ria Nurayu Ani (44) and Dede Aah (48) also process tilapia into various dishes.

“Today someone ordered three packages of tilapia liwet rice. Tomorrow around 100 people will come, including the Ciamis regent and the Dandim," said Ria. One package of liwet rice containing tilapia, tempeh and fresh vegetables can be served for five people.

Before the birth of Kampung Nila, Ria was busy taking care of the household and working as a farm worker. “Nowadays, mothers get to know the 'top' people. In the past, it was almost impossible to meet the regent. Even the head of the district, they did not know. The governor [Ridwan Kamil] has also been here," she said.

About 10 local housewives now finally have additional income. “The most important thing is that we get experience processing tilapia. We took part in bazaars, training and exhibitions for MSMEs [micro, small and medium enterprises]," said Dede.

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Syamsul, Ria and Dede are among 80 families who live in Kampung Nila. Some take care of the tilapia spawning, raising, processing and marketing. Not only in the market, tilapia and its processed products are also available at modern shop Nilamart.

The residents' minimarket provides local specialties. Residents from a number of areas visit Kampung Nila to enjoy nasi liwet (rice cooked in coconut milk, fish and spices) in a gazebo while looking at the fish pond.

This integrated fish cultivation was initiated by Iim Gala Permana in 2019. At that time, he wanted to buy tilapia seeds from traders in Ciamis, but he was rejected because he was not a regular customer.

"Then I thought, why do we not raise tilapia ourselves," he said. The potential for water from Mount Sawal is indeed abundant. During the dry season, water is still available. Many residents already have a pool.

After studying tilapia from other farmers, Iim began to regulate the density of the pond, use pellet feed and maintain the quality of the fish. The results were satisfactory so that other residents followed.

Then I thought, why do we not raise tilapia ourselves.

The local community leader, H Wahyu, supported him and offered the idea of establishing Kampung Nila. The Ciamis regency government also welcomed the idea by inaugurating Kampung Nila, in mid-December 2021.

The Ciamis Livestock and Fisheries Office and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry also supported tilapia cultivation in the village.

Residents also partner with other parties, such as fish feed producers to millennial farmers and the West Java provincial government.

Several resident ponds adopted the technology of automatic feeding machines to pinwheels. Tilapia that used to be harvested in a matter of months can now be harvested daily. “Almost every day, there is a harvest here. Production from about 100 ponds can amount to 200 kg per day," said Iim.

With a selling price of Rp 22,000 per kg and a production of 200 kg, the income of the farmers in Kampung Nila can amount to Rp 4.4 million per day or Rp 132 million in a month. It means that, in a year, the money circulating in the village can amount to Rp. 1.58 billion, which is higher than the village funds. It is quite fantastic.

That figure, continued Iim, could still increase because currently, residents only use 3 hectares of land for fish cultivation, out of about 10 ha available in the village. He even acknowledged that he received requests for 2 tonnes of tilapia per day. Tilapia production in Ciamis in 2021 was recorded at 11,232 tonnes.

Even though it is still very small, Kampung Nila Kawali can contribute 1.4 million tonnes of the country’s tilapia production in 2021. "Our hope is that Ciamis will be able to be independent with good quality tilapia that can be supplied to other regions," said Iim.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.